One piece fold flat easel

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments a fold flat easel for the display of a device folds open from a flat piece of plastic into an upright standing position. Multiple position notches in the rear of a base accept a kickstand and a foot and varies the resting angle of a backrest. The backrest together with an arresting lip on the base secures the device on the easel. The backrest is attached to the kickstand and the base with flexible and durable living hinges. The entire stand, including hinges, can be easily and cost effectively fabricated from a single piece of plastic. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/104,262, filed 2008 Oct. 10 by the present inventor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field

This invention generally relates to easels and display stands.

2. Prior Art

Easels and display stands are commonly used to display artwork and signage but the recent rise in popularity of portable electronics has created a new need for support stands. Users require their devices to be supported upright on table tops and desks as well as at various angles for the viewing of media entertainment, monitoring email, or other functions of the devices.

The traditional art easel, while recognized for its simplicity in both three and four legged varieties, does not scale down to a size appropriate for personal devices. Their typical design includes a number of pieces that have to be assembled, increasing cost and complexity. Easels designed with an eye for portability often include additional pieces such as folding trays and telescopic legs which increase complexity and frailty, and are cumbersome at small scales.

Historically decorative plate stands have served a similar purpose, and come in two forms. One is a bent wire stand that creates a base, support arms, and a back from a single piece of wire, but does not fold compactly for travel and normally has limited, if any, display positioning angles. The other common form is a symmetrically cut, flat hinged board that opens like a book. When partially opened, the two sides create a base as well as a cradle to support the device. While it folds flat they are limited in the variety of devices they can support as well as the number of positioning angles.

Kickstands represent another common form of support, which is a leg that folds out from a stored position to provide a stable base. This device props up horizontal object such as signage or a photo frame. While the leg can fold flush to the object, the simple nature of the kickstand means that typically a kickstand is integrated into the device, there is no variability in the display angle, and they occasionally require a piece of strapping to prevent the kickstand from opening too widely and letting the device fall.

The market for portable easels and display stands is a competitive market and a number of variants of the above traditional machines exist. There exist variants of both versions of the plate holder: wire frame device stands with fixed viewing angles and the folding book style with limited ability to support a wide array of devices and viewing angles. Protective cases for the portable devices may also integrate dedicated kickstands similar to the photo frame kickstand, with all of its limitations as well. Nevertheless, all of the portable stands heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantages:

-   -   (a) Their design limits the number of available viewing angles,         impacting the flexibility for the user     -   (b) Their manufacture requires multiple separate pieces to be         molded and assembled, adding cost and complexity to their         production. Additionally the complexity can lead to reliability         and durability concerns.     -   (c) The stands don't collapse easily or efficiently. Some of the         portable stands do not collapse at all, which creates difficulty         storing the product. Some require physical assembly and         disassembly which adds complexity to its use and delay during         setup and teardown.     -   (d) The size is so small that they don't offer a stable platform         for the device. In order to provide storage efficiencies, the         devices compromise on the number of support points and overall         stability for larger devices.     -   (e) Multiple pieces to lose. Some the stands are comprised of         multiple loose pieces which require assembly and disassembly for         each use. Loose pieces can be lost and the assembly of the         pieces can be frustrating.     -   (f) Their design necessitates large arresting bumpers. The         stands require large bumpers or hooks to keep the product from         slipping off of the stand. These bumpers can be large and         unwieldy to store efficiently.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment a fold flat easel comprises of a single piece of plastic with the following features: a base, a backrest, a kickstand to support the backrest, an arresting lip, a series of positioning notches, and hinges to connect the primary components.

DRAWINGS Figures

The inventions will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of some embodiments of the inventions which, however, should not be taken to limit the inventions to the specific embodiments described, but are for explanation and understanding only.

FIGS. 1A to 1C show various characteristics of an easel in its open position both with and without a portable media device in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 1D shows how the first embodiment easel can be manufactured out of a single piece of plastic and fold flat.

FIG. 2 shows an easel where the kickstand is attached to the base in another embodiment.

FIGS. 3A and 3B shows an asymmetrical easel with an alternative kickstand foot in another embodiment

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   101 representative media player -   102 arresting lip -   103 backrest -   104 multiple position notches -   105 kickstand -   106 base -   107 base to backrest hinge -   108 backrest to kickstand hinge -   109 kick stand foot -   202 arresting lip -   203 backrest -   204 multiple position notches -   205 kickstand leg -   206 base -   207 base to backrest hinge -   209 kickstand bar -   213 base to kickstand hinge -   302 arresting lip -   303 backrest -   304 square multiple position notches -   305 kickstand leg -   306 base with rear support spreader -   307 base to backrest hinge -   309 spade kickstand foot -   313 base to kickstand hinge

DETAILED DESCRIPTION First Embodiment—FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1D

One embodiment of the easel stand is illustrated in FIG. 1A (perspective view). A representative cell phone, media player, or portable entertainment device 101 is resting on the base 106 of the stand, secured by a bumper, stop, or arresting lip 102, which is typically 0.10 in. in height, 0.10 in. in depth, and may run the width of the stand. The rear of the entertainment device 101 leans or rests on a supporting backrest 103. The bottom of the entertainment device 101 rests or sits on the base 106, which is attached to the arresting lip 102. The base is approximately 3 in. wide by 4 in. long, and from above loosely approximates the capital letter “T”.

In FIG. 1B one embodiment is shown in perspective without the entertainment device 101 (FIG. 1A). The base 106 attaches to the backrest 103 via a pair of living hinges 107. The living hinge is formed during the injection molding of the polypropylene or polyethylene material of the stand. At the location of the hinge, the mold cavity is shrunk to create a reduction nozzle. As the plastic polymer is forced through the nozzle, the lower pressure behind the nozzle forces the polymers through the nozzle at a high rate of speed, aligning to create a strong, thin, flexible hinge. Thus the entire stand can be molded, hinges and all, in a single injection of molten plastic. The base 106 extends to the rear of the stand, between the two living hinges 107, as two prongs to provide greater stability and prevent the stand from tipping to the back. The backrest 103 has the general appearance of an upside down capital letter “U” so that when molded it can lie flat and clear the rear protruding prongs of base 106. From the living hinge 107 to the top, the backrest is approximately 3.5 in. in length. As the base 106 extends to the rear, two symmetrical sets of half cylindrical notches 104 are molded on the top of the protruding prongs. The notches 104 offer multiple resting positions for a kickstand foot 109. The kickstand foot 109 is attached to the bottom of a kickstand leg 105, which is attached to the backrest 103 via a living hinge 108. The living hinge is constructed in the same way as living hinge 107. The kickstand leg 105 is approximately 2 in. in length, and the kickstand foot 109 is approximately ⅝ in. in width, wide enough to span over both sets of notches 104. The kickstand leg 105 is narrow enough to lie flat between the rear prongs of base 106, so that the kickstand leg 105 can be molded in its flat closed position.

FIG. 1D (perspective view), illustrates the position of one embodiment while it is being molded as well as its closed position. The figure shows how the backrest 103 is attached to the base 106 via living hinges 107, and wraps around the base 106 like an upside down capital letter “U”. The two prongs of base 106 are shown with the multiple position notches 104 sandwiching the kickstand leg 105. The kickstand leg 105 is narrower than the kickstand foot 109, so that the leg can be molded between the two prongs of base 106 and so that the kickstand foot 109 spans the two sets of notches 104. The gap between the rear prongs of base 106 widens as it nears the living hinge 107 so that the kickstand foot 109 clears the base and may easily lie flat. FIG. 1D also shows how the living hinge 107 and the living hinge 108 are oriented in opposite vertical directions. This is so that the freedom of motion afforded by the hinge orientation favors the required pivot of the hinge.

FIG. 1D illustrates that in one embodiment the kickstand foot 109 is cylindrical in nature, which allows it to easily mate with the half-cylinder shape of the multi position notches 104. The cylinder foot 109 mates cleanly with the notches at any angle and provides a simpler design free of surface mating calculations that could be required from other potential shapes.

OPERATION First Embodiment—FIGS. 1B, 1C, 1D

The manner of using one embodiment is to start with the stand in its folded flat position as shown in FIG. 1D. The backrest 103 is rotated up by flexing the living hinge 107, but not typically beyond 90 degrees from horizontal. As shown in FIG. 1C, the kickstand leg 105 is then rotated back from the backrest 103. As the backrest 103 is slightly rotated back towards the closed position, the kickstand foot 109 comes to rest in one of the multiple position notches 104 (FIG. 1B), providing a stable backrest 103. Repeating this motion and varying the angle of rotation of the backrest 103 and the kickstand leg 105 to align with each positioning notch 104, allows the backrest 103 to sit at various viewing angles. To close the stand the previous steps are followed in reverse to return it to a flat closed position (FIG. 1D). By allowing the entire stand to lie flat, the piece can be molded without complexity and in a single injection molding operation.

In one embodiment FIG. 1C illustrates how the arresting lip 102 works with the backrest 103 and base 106 to provide a universal support for a device 101, such as an entertainment device, portable media player, cell phone, as well as signage, e-book, calculator or other similarly sized device. Gravity acting upon the device 101 pulls the device downward. The rear of the device 101 rests on the backrest 103. The natural gravitational pull on the device would tend to make the device slide down and to the left as oriented in FIG. 1C. The arresting lip 102 catches the lateral edge of the device 101 and prevents it from sliding further, and in the act, secures the device into the stand. The arresting lip 102 can remain small as shown in this embodiment and still accommodate the device 101 with various sizes and shapes, at various angles of the backrest 103, because the lip 102 only has to stop the lateral slide of the device 101 instead of the full downward slide that many easels and stands require.

FIG. 1C illustrates how in one embodiment the living hinge 107 is thinner than either the base 106 or backrest 103, and allows the two sections to easily pivot around the hinge 107.

In one embodiment, by remaining small the lip 102 enables the efficient storage of the stand in its closed position, which except for the lip 102 is completely flat. In this embodiment the distance from the living hinge 107 to the lip 102 is approximately 0.5 in. which provides adequate play to support most devices of a personal nature. The width and depth of the stand provides a stable platform with little tendency to tip forward, rearward, or to either side.

DESCRIPTION Alternative Embodiments—FIGS. 2, 3A

An additional embodiment is shown in FIG. 2; in this case some of the familiar structures of the first embodiment are repositioned and reconfigured. A base 206 attaches to an arresting lip 202, and the two rearward prongs are moved to the opposite lateral edges of the stand. The base 206 attaches to a backrest 203 via a single living hinge 14. The backrest 203 has a rectangular shape instead of the “U” shape of the backrest 103 (FIG. 1B). A set of multiple position notches 204 are shown on the bottom side of the backrest 203 and are physically similar to the notches 104 (FIG. 1B). The rearward prongs of base 206 attach to a pair of kickstand legs 205 (FIG. 2) via a living hinge 213. The legs 205 are connected horizontally by a tubular kickstand bar 209. The arresting lip 202, attached to the base 206, is physically similar to the first embodiment's lip 102 (FIG. 1A).

An additional embodiment is shown in FIG. 3A; in this case using an asymmetrical structure. A base 306 attaches to an arresting lip 302, and a single lateral rearward prong has a support spreader that spans the width of the base. The base 306 attaches to a backrest 303 via a single living hinge 307. The backrest 303 has a rectangular shape instead of the “U” shape of the backrest 103 (FIG. 1B). A set of multiple position notches 304 (FIG. 3A) are shown on the rear of the bottom side of backrest 303 and are constructed as square notches instead of the cylindrical notches 104 (FIG. 1B). The rearward prong of base 306 (FIG. 3A) attaches to a single kickstand leg 305 via a living hinge 313. The kickstand leg 305 terminates in a flat rectangle shaped kickstand foot 309. An arresting lip 302 is physically similar to the first embodiment and is attached to the base 306.

OPERATION Alternative Embodiment—FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B

The manner of using the stand in the second embodiment is to start in its folded flat position. The backrest 203 (FIG. 2) is rotated up, pivoting on the living hinge 207, but not typically beyond 90 degrees from horizontal. As shown in FIG. 2, the kickstand legs 205 are then rotated back from the base 206, pivoting at the living hinge 213. As the backrest 203 is slightly rotated back towards the closed position, the kickstand bar 209 comes to rest in one of the multiple position notches 204, providing a stable backrest 203. Repeating this motion and varying the angle of rotation of the backrest 203 and the kickstand legs 205 to align with each positioning notch 204, allows the backrest 203 to sit at various viewing angles. To close the stand the previous steps are followed in reverse to return it to a flat closed position. In the closed position the kickstand legs 205 and kickstand bar 209 follow the perimeter of the backrest 203, both for aesthetic and functional reasons. By allowing the entire stand to lie flat, the piece can be molded with a single ejection direction and in a single injection molding operation. In the open position the backrest 203, the base 206, and the arresting lip 202 work together to secure the device in the same way as the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1C.

The manner of using the third embodiment is to start in its folded flat position as shown in FIG. 3B. The backrest 303 is rotated up, pivoting on the living hinge 307, but not typically beyond 90 degrees from horizontal. As shown in FIG. 3A, the kickstand leg 305 is then rotated back from the base 306, pivoting at the living hinge 313. As the backrest 303 is slightly rotated back towards the closed position, the kickstand foot 309 comes to rest in one of the square multiple position notches 304, providing a stable backrest 303. The square notches 304 provide a secure catch for the edge of the square shape of the kickstand foot 309 as shown in FIG. 3A. Repeating this motion and varying the angle of rotation of the backrest 303 and the kickstand leg 305 to align with each positioning notch 304, allows the backrest 303 to sit at various viewing angles. To close the stand the previous steps are followed in reverse to return it to a flat closed position. In the closed position the kickstand leg 305 and kickstand foot 309 follow the perimeter of the base 306, whose spreader follows the perimeter of the backrest 303, both for aesthetic and functional reasons. By allowing the entire stand to lie flat, the piece can be molded with a single ejection direction and in a single injection molding operation. In the open position the backrest 303, the base 306, and the arresting lip 302 work together to secure the device in the same way as the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1C.

Advantages

From the description above, a number of advantages of some embodiments of a one piece fold flat easel stand become evident:

(a) An adjustable kickstand with several positioning notches provides a variety of viewing angles for devices on the stand. Users will be able to accommodate the stand in a wider variety of locations and comfortable positions than fixed stands.

(b) The single piece, flat design will save cost during design and manufacture. A shallow draft and single axis of ejection simplifies mold design and construction. A single manufactured piece reduces cost by eliminating the need for multiple molds or mold cavities as well as part assembly.

(c) The stand is easy to set up and tear down. Two permanently attached appendages pivot around two hinges. Parts don't have to be assembled, disassembled, snugged, loosened, pushed, or popped by the user. The stand can be folded open and closed with a single hand.

(d) While it stows efficiently for storage, when open the stand provides a substantial footprint for overall stability.

(e) There are no loose pieces which can be lost or misplaced.

(f) The arresting lip can be small because of its interaction with the base and backrest. Unlike stands which require prominent lips or folding bumper attachments to stop the supported device from sliding downward, the lip only has to stop the lateral slide of the device. As a result, the lip can be permanent fixture with negligible impact on storage bulk.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Accordingly the reader will see that, according to the various embodiments of the invention, the stand can be efficiently stored in flat locations such as a pocket, can be opened quickly and easily, can be adjusted to a variety of viewing angles, and can support a variety of devices. In addition it can be manufactured cost effectively from a single piece of plastic.

While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments. For example, the overall design can be done symmetrically or asymmetrically, the number of adjustable positions can be varied, the shape of the kickstand foot and notches can be varied, the location where the kickstand attaches can be changed, the lip's form and location can be adjusted, and non-skid materials could be added, etc.

An embodiment is an implementation or example of the inventions. Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the inventions. The various appearances “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “some embodiments” are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments.

Not all components, features, structures, characteristics, etc. described and illustrated herein need be included in a particular embodiment or embodiments. If the specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, “can” or “could” be included, for example, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

The inventions are not restricted to the particular details listed herein. Indeed, those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will appreciate that many other variations from the foregoing description and drawings may be made within the scope of the present inventions. Accordingly, it is the following claims including any amendments thereto that define the scope of the inventions. 

1. A machine, comprising: a base sheet of rigid material of predetermined size, said base sheet having a front edge and a top surface; and at least one lip protruding above the top surface of said base sheet positioned at a predetermined distance from and parallel to the front edge of said base sheet; and a backrest portion of said base delineated by a flexible joint running parallel to the lip of said base sheet at a predetermined distance from said lip; and at least one elongated kickstand portion of said backrest portion delineated by a second flexible joint running parallel to the lip of said base sheet and located at an end of said kickstand portion; and a plurality of indentations located on the top surface of said base sheet; whereby said backrest portion may be raised rotationally while pivoting at said flexible joint, said elongated kickstand portion may be rotated under said backrest portion by pivoting at said second joint, said elongated kickstand may rest in one of said plurality of indentations, securing said elongated kickstand and supporting said backrest portion so that an object may be propped up stably by said backrest portion, the top surface of said base sheet, and at least one lip of said base sheet.
 2. The machine of claim 1 wherein said base sheet of rigid material is composed of polypropylene plastic.
 3. The machine of claim 1 wherein said base sheet of rigid material is composed of polyethylene plastic.
 4. The machine of claim 1 wherein said base sheet of rigid material is manufactured with a single injection molding of plastic.
 5. The machine of claim 4 wherein said flexible joint and said second flexible joint are living hinges.
 6. The machine of claim 1 wherein said base sheet of rigid material is manufactured with a die-cut pressing of a sheet of plastic.
 7. The machine of claim 6 wherein said flexible joint and said second flexible joint are folded under pressure to induce a crease line.
 8. The machine of claim 1 wherein said base sheet, said backrest portion and said kickstand portion lay flat in the same plain.
 9. The machine of claim 1 wherein said kickstand incorporates a foot to assist in aligning with said indentations.
 10. The machine in claim 9 wherein said foot is cylindrical in cross section; and said indentations are half cylindrical; whereby said foot mates smoothly with said indentations at any angle of said kickstand.
 11. The machine in claim 9 wherein said foot is rectangular in cross section; and said indentations are half rectangular.
 12. The machine in claim 1 wherein whereby said foot mates with said indentations at any angle of said kickstand by catching at least one edge of said foot on at least one surface of said indentation.
 13. A machine, comprising: a base sheet of rigid material of predetermined size, said base sheet having a front edge and a top surface; and at least one lip protruding above the top surface of said base sheet positioned at a predetermined distance from and parallel to the front edge of said base sheet; and a backrest portion of said base delineated by a flexible joint running parallel to the lip of said base sheet at a predetermined distance from said lip; and at least one elongated kickstand portion of said base delineated by a second flexible joint running parallel to the lip of said base sheet and located at an end of said kickstand portion; and a plurality of indentations located on the bottom surface of said backrest portion; whereby said backrest portion may be raised rotationally while pivoting at said flexible joint, said elongated kickstand portion may be rotated under said backrest portion by pivoting at said second joint, said elongated kickstand may rest in one of said plurality of indentations, securing said elongated kickstand and supporting said backrest portion so that an object may be propped up stably by said backrest portion, the top surface of said base sheet, and at least one lip of said base sheet.
 14. The machine of claim 13 wherein said base sheet, said backrest portion and said kickstand portion lay flat in the same plain.
 15. The machine of claim 13 wherein said kickstand incorporates a foot to assist in aligning with said indentations.
 16. The machine of claim 13 wherein said base sheet of rigid material is manufactured with a single piece of plastic.
 17. A method of supporting a device at various viewing angles, comprising: (a) providing a folding stand of the type comprising a flat body of material having at least one vertically oriented lip on one edge thereof, a backrest material subset of said body of material attached via a folding seam, a support leg material subset of said backrest attached via a folding seam, and a plurality of resting wells on the top surface of the flat body of material; and (b) placing said flat body of material on a stable surface; and (c) folding said backrest material vertically; and (d) folding said support leg away from said backrest; and (e) aligning said support leg with one of said resting wells; and (f) lowering said backrest until said support leg rests securely in one of said resting wells; and (g) placing said viewing device so that the rear of said device lays against said backrest, the bottom of said device lays on said flat body of material, and the bottom front of said device lays adjacent to said lip of said body of material; whereby the display angle of said device can be easily adjusted by varying the position of said backrest by moving said support leg among said plurality of resting wells.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein said folding stand is composed of polypropylene.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein said folding stand is composed of polyethylene.
 20. The method of claim 17 wherein said folding stand can be opened from a flat, closed position and said folding stand can be closed flat from an open position. 